Scientists discover new rat species in Indonesia

Researchers working in Indonesia have discovered a new species of mammal called the hog-nosed rat, named for its features that scientists said have never been seen before.

06.10.2015

(AFP) Researchers working in Indonesia have discovered a new species of mammal called the hog-nosed rat, named for its features that scientists said have never been seen before.

The creature was found in a remote mountainous area on the
island of Sulawesi in central Indonesia, according to Australia's Museum
Victoria whose scientists were involved.

The rat, whose scientific name is
Hyorhinomys stuempkei, has features "never seen by science before",
according to the museum in a statement released Tuesday.

The discovery was made by a team of scientists from Indonesia, Australia and the United States.

As well as its large, flat, pink nose, with forward-facing
nostrils similar to that of a pig's, the creature has extremely large
ears, a small mouth and long white front teeth, according to the museum.

In photos the rodent appears to be about the size of a normal rat.

"I am still amazed that we can walk into a forest and find a new
species of mammal that is so obviously different from any species...
that has ever been documented by science," said Kevin Rowe, a scientist
from Museum Victoria who was involved in the research.

The mammal is carnivorous and probably feeds on such things as earthworms and beetle larvae.

The discovery was made in the north of Sulawesi, with the
scientists guided into a mountainous and forested area by local
villagers.